Residents respond to FS plans

Lois Gill, Elke Dortmund and Norma Funai discuss Forest Service plans at a Camp Sherman meeting. Photo by Conrad Weiler

Local residents weighed in on plans to enhance the management of the Metolius region at a meeting at Camp Sherman's Community Hall on Saturday, January 18.

The ambitious Forest Service project would treat about 12,000 acres in the Metolius Basin at a cost estimated at over $4 million dollars and take about five years or more (see "FS brings citizens into forest planning," The Nugget, January 15).

Toni Foster, Friends of the Metolius president, elicited many resident questions about road closures in the project area.

About 50 road miles would be closed and John Tice, a local resident, worried about access for handicapped individuals and use of ATVs with proposed road closures. He spoke about the potential good and bad effects of these road closures.

An 11-page inventory of road changes answered Roger White's question about what roads would be involved.

"I realize that roads are an issue," said Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony. "That's why we're seeking input from people telling us about the importance of particular roads that might be closed."

Resident Vickie Hornbeck was concerned about misuse of roads.

"Commercial logging may cause damage to local roads," she said.

Part of the project calls for logging trees (up to 21-25 inch diameter) and using local roads plus 1.65 miles of temporary roads for tree removal.

Kendra Van Patten commented on heritage roads and said, "Some should be saved."

Contractor Dustin Dundon mentioned that, "In fighting fires, you might think roads could be used but find they had been closed."

In other questioning, Linda Thomas wanted to know, "Will firewood pickup be available to the public in project areas?"

Anthony responded that "there are many ways of implementing these plans and something could be worked out."

Thomas also worried that part of the project calls for burning and wondered if something like last year's Los Alamos, New Mexico fire could occur in the Metolius Basin.

"That's unlikely," said Kirk Metsker of the Forest Service. "We'll do mainly fall burning when the risk is much less."

Bruce Schaull of Metolius Meadows was worried about the number of years that the project would take.

"We'll go as fast as we can," said Bill Anthony. "It will take about five years, perhaps six or seven. Ten years worries me."

Asked about a starting date, Anthony said that depending on legal issues, the project could start as early as this summer.

"We have set aside about $250,000 to start the project in and around the urban interface to protect people and homes," he said. "If there are appeals of the project it may start later. If there are court battles -- all bets are off as to starting time for the project."

Susan Schaull commented about homeowners thinning around their homes and the valuable addition to fire protection. She also wondered about the project's effect on noxious weeds. Intrusive weeds are a concern that will have to be addressed.

"Anytime you thin habitat it creates a potential for noxious weed growth," said Maret Pajutee, Forest Service ecologist.

Anthony acknowledged that ongoing funding for the project will have to be obtained on a year-by-year basis.

"There are no guarantees," said Bill Anthony. "It's hard to predict Congress and what will happen in these turbulent times.

"However, the Metolius Basin Project is among the highest priorities in the Deschutes National Forest. We have a fuels budget to treat 5,000 acres this year."

After lunch, there were short field trips into the surrounding project areas for interested residents and forest service personnel.

The full draft environmental statement and a summary version are available at the Sisters Ranger Station.